ISSUE CONTENTS IN
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
UP-TO -DATE THROUGH VOL 20 NO 5 – SEPTEMBER , 2021
Copyright © 1993-2021, Charles Kendrick Cowdery, All Rights Reserved
WHAT THIS IS
The name pretty much explains it. The Bourbon Country Reader Issue Contents in Chronological Order is a list of all the contents of every issue, in chronological order, from the beginning to the most recent issue. It lists the volume and issue number of each issue, the publication date, the headlines of all the stories in that issue, and where necessary there is a short description of what the story is about (when it isn't obvious from the headline). All product reviews are included too.
All back issues of The Bourbon Country Reader are available as bound volumes except Volume One (see explanation, below). Each bound volume contains six issues. Volumes become available in bound form as soon as that volume is completed, i.e., after issue number six of that volume has been published.
You may order bound volumes of back issues at bourbonstraight.com.
WHY VOLUME ONE IS NOT AVAILABLE
When we started The Reader in 1993, it was an experiment. We had no idea if anyone would be interested. The design was very crude. (Considering how simple it still is, that's saying something.) After the first six issues, we had worked out the kinks and decided to keep going. We decided to bury the experimental first volume, for reasons both aesthetic and technical. In light of that decision, we resolved to republish in future issues all significant stories from those first six issues, which we did, so you're really not missing anything by not having Volume One.
Its contents are included in this document for the benefit of that tiny core of subscribers who have been here from the beginning.
WHY SOME EARLY ISSUES HAVE LARGE BLANK SPACES
Due to technological changes in desktop publishing software over the years, the main body font we were using became unavailable. The best substitute is slightly smaller, leaving gaps at the end of stories. We made sure all of the text is as originally written but otherwise left it alone. Everything has since been converted to PDF, so this won’t happen with any of the newer editions. It looks weird, but you aren’t missing anything.
page 1 VOLUME ONE
1. Vol 1 No 1, (undated)
“Industry Consolidation Continues.” Glenmore buys Medley and Fleishmanns, UD buys Glenmore, UD sells brands to Heaven Hill, which sells some to David Sherman, Midwest Grain Sells McCormick, Takara buys Ancient Age, Sazerac to market Blantons.
“Flavor Is A Matter of Taste.”
“Those Beams They’re Everywhere.” History of the Beam family.
“Bucket of Suds Is Really a Place for Bourbon Lovers.” An eccentric Chicago bar.
“It’s Your Water! (Maybe).”
“Portrait of J. B. Wathen”
REVIEW: Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond.
2. Vol 1 No 2, October, 1993
“’Unhealthy Products’ Tax Proposed for Healthcare Funding.”
“Abraham Lincoln, Born and Bred in Bourbon Country.”
“When Was This Whiskey Bottled?” Tips for determining when a whiskey was bottling by figuring out when the bottle was made.
“Lost Whiskeys of America: Old Crow.”
REVIEW: Old Charter 7-year-old.
REVIEW: Virginia Gentleman Bourbon
3. Vol 1 No 3, December, 1993
“Why Do We Call It Bourbon?”
“Unhealthy Products Tax Update.”
“Rectification and the Whiskey War of 1906.”
“How Whiskey Won the War.”
REVIEW: Ten High Ten
page 2 4. Vol 1 No 4, February, 1994
“Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey Enter the NAFTA Debate.” Al Gore and Ross Perot slug it out on Larry King.
“Lost Whiskeys of America: James E. Pepper.”
“Ancient Age Wins Gold Medal.” At International Wine and Spirit Competition in London.
REVIEW: Old Rip Van Winkle.
5. Vol 1 No 5, April, 1994
“Before the Beginning. The Roots of Bourbon Whiskey in America.”
“EU ‘Distinctive Products’ Update.”
“What Is Whiskey? (The Basics)
“Cooking with Bourbon.”
“When Bottled Bourbon Was a Hot, New Idea.”
REVIEW: Old Grand-Dad 114.
6. Vol 1 No 6, June, 1994
“Beamish v. Beam. Tiny Irish Brew Stout Enough to Beat Big Bourbon.”
“Whiskey and Wood; a Marriage that Works.”
“Do Taoists Make Better Bourbon? Ask Doctor Dalton.”
REVIEW: McCormick Bourbon.
VOLUME TWO
7. Vol 2 No 1, August, 1994
“The Old Grand-Dad Story Is a Tale of Two Families.” They being the Haydens and the Wathens.
“James E. Pepper Returns to Eastern Europe.” By Michael R. Veach.
“Kentucky Bourbon Festival Is Just Around the Corner.”
page 3 “Free Custom Labels from Blanton’s”
REVIEW: Evan Williams Bourbon.
8. Vol 2 No 2, January, 1995
“The Bourbon Renaissance. Has It Finally Arrived?”
“A Sampling Guide to American Whiskey.”
“How To Make Bourbon My Way, by Dr. James C. Crow.”
“Jack Daniel’s Adds Beer to Product Line.”
9. Vol 2 No 3, May, 1995
“Barton Acquires Last of Glenmore Brands from Guinness.”
“Surprise! World’s Newest Bourbon Comes from Poland.”
“Bourbon Decanters Tempt Fans, But Does the Bourbon?”
REVIEW: Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit.
10. Vol 2 No 4, August, 1995
“Collecting. A New and Intriguing Way to Enjoy Great Bourbon.”
“Big, New Bourbon Book Is a Thorough Delight.” The Book of Bourbon and Other Fine American Whiskeys, by Gary Regan and Mardee Haidin Regan.
“Some More Suggestions for Your Reading and Drinking Pleasure.” Healthy Drinking, Malt Advocate, Beer The Magazine.
“We Sure Hate to Say We Told You So But…” Taxes suggested for “fattening, low-nutrient foods.”
REVIEW: I. W. Harper Gold Medal 15-Year-Old.
11. Vol 2 No 5, December, 1995
“Maker’s Mark Announces $18.5 Million Expansion Plan.”
“Brown-Forman Resurrects Historic Distillery.” Labrot and Graham Woodford Reserve, that is.
page 4 “New Bourbon Book Is a Little Too Eager to Please Distillers.” The Book of Classic American Whiskeys, by Mark Waymack and James Harris.
“Producers Unveil More New Bourbons.” Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage, Henry McKenna Single Barrel, Elijah Craig Single Barrel, Bulleit and Thoroughbred.
REVIEW: Bulleit Bourbon.
12. Vol 2 No 6, March, 1996
“Historic Stamping Ground Distillery to be Sold at Auction.”
“Whiskey Browns Among America’s Wealthiest Families.”
“Jim, Jack, Jerry, et. al. Those Beams, They’re Everywhere.”
“New 007 Drinks U.S. Whiskey.”
REVIEW: Evan William Single Barrel Vintage
VOLUME THREE
13. Vol 3 No 1, July, 1996
“Seagram’s Draws Fire with New TV Ads for Crown Royal.”
“Follow-Ups to Past Stories Reported in The Reader.” Labrot and Graham restoration, collectible bourbon decanters, bourbon consumption statistics released.
“How Bourbon Whiskey Really Got Its Famous Name.”
“Maker’s Mark Gives $250,000 to Charity.”
“R.I.P. Judge Noah Sweat Jr.” The author of an actual but very funny political speech about ‘the whiskey issue’ dies.
REVIEW: Henry McKenna Single Barrel.
14. Vol 3 No 2, November, 1996
“Two-Percent of World’s Bourbon Is Destroyed in Fire at Heaven Hill.”
“Distillers Revise Code, End TV and Radio Ad Ban.”
“Exploring the 147-Year Heritage of W. L. Weller.” By Michael R. Veach.
page 5 “Bourbon Patron Emma Getz Dies.”
REVIEW: Two ‘Antiques’ and One Modern Bourbon from UD.
15. Vol 3 No 3, February, 1997
“An Era Ends at Heaven Hill. Co-Founder George Shapira Dies.”
“Old Taylor Distillery Will Re-Open Soon, Say New Owners.” Stone Castle Properties buys Old Taylor site from Jim Beam.
“Jim Beam’s Parent Company to Exit Tobacco Business.” American brands sells its cigs.
“Bourbon Resources on the Net.”
“1996 Sales Leaders.” Jim Beam is #1, Jack Daniel’s is #2.
“Limestone Beer.”
“Like Ad Bans? Look to the East.”
REVIEW: Jacob’s Well Bourbon
16. Vol 3 No 4, June, 1997
“Two Beverage Companies Merge, Create New Industry Giant.” Goodbye Guinness and Grand Met, hello Diageo.
“Spirits Advertising Controversy Continues to Brew.” President Clinton speaks out against the new spirits industry advertising code.
“Fall from Grace. The History of Old Crow Bourbon.”
“Heaven Hill Distilleries Introduces Bardstown Bourbon Society.”
REVIEW: Joseph Finch Rare Bourbon Whiskey.
17. Vol 3 No 5, September, 1997
“Corn Juice Jamboree: A Tour of Kentucky’s Whiskey Country.”
“Corrections and Updates to Stories in Past Issues.” Diageo formation, Gary Regan and Paul Pacult on radio, spirits advertising on TV and radio.
REVIEW: Knob Creek Bourbon.
page 6 18. Vol 3 No 6, June, 1998
“Mergers, Acquisitions and Name Changes Alter Bourbon Landscape.” Diageo is formed, Seagrams diversifies, American Brands becomes Fortune Brands.
“Abraham Lincoln, Bourbon Country’s Native Son.” Abe was born and raised part way in Kentucky, where his dad worked in a distillery. Later, Abe owned a liquor store.
REVIEW: Fighting Cock Bourbon.
VOLUME FOUR
19. Vol 4 No 1, January, 1999
“Jack Daniel’s Fuels Success of Brown-Forman Beverages.” Profile of the Jack Daniel’s brand.
“Tasting Suites; Bourbon Tasting with a Purpose.” Ideas for thematic bourbon tastings.
“The ‘Split Personality’ of Four Roses Bourbon.” Dimly remembered here, Four Roses is a top seller overseas.
“Virginia Gentleman Introduces New Premium Expression.” 90-proof, 6- year-old.
“Labrot & Graham Restoration Wins National Preservation Award.”
“Wild Turkey Won’t Renew Agreement with Diageo.”
REVIEW: Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye
20. Vol 4 No 2, March, 1999
“Diageo Sells Distillery and Brands to Heaven Hill, Sazerac, Sherman.” Old Fitzgerald, Old Weller, Old Charter and Rebel Yell change hands.
“Heaven Hill, Burned Out in ’96, Is a Distiller Again.” Heaven Hill buys Diageo’s Louisville distillery.
“Bernheim Site Holds Almost 150 Years of Distilling History.” History of the Bernheim Distillery, now Heaven Hill.
page 7 21. Vol 4 No 3, May, 1999
“Change is Good at Wild Turkey: But Don’t Touch the Whiskey!” New distributor, new label, new advertising, same old whiskey.
“Heaven Hill Concludes Deal, Announces Plans.” Follow-up on Heaven Hill’s acquisition of the Old Fitzgerald brand and Bernheim Distillery.
“Jim Beam: Cool New Partners, Nosy New Neighbors.” Beam forms new distribution alliance as its parent company moves in next door.
“Woodford Reserve Now Official Derby Bourbon.”
REVIEW: Old Forester Bourbon
22. Vol 4 No 4, August, 1999
“Leestown Company Is Now Buffalo Trace.” Sazerac changes the name of its Frankfort distillery.
“Like Bourbon, ‘The Colonel’ Is Uniquely Kentucky.” What do Colonel Sanders, Jim Beam and your humble editor all have in common?
“Industry Watch: Jim Beam, Diageo, Allied…the Usual Suspects.” A review of recent industry news.
“The Secret to Long Life? Avoid Cheap Whiskey!” So says John McMorran, age 110.
REVIEW: Ancient Age Barrel 107 Special Edition
23. Vol 4 No 5, October, 1999
“Remembering the Father of the Modern Bourbon Industry. (Part 1)” First in a two-part biography of Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr.
“Two Bourbons a Day Keep the Mortician Away.” New research on the health benefits of daily alcohol consumption.
REVIEW: Old Weller Antique
24. Vol 4 No 6, March, 2000
“Remembering the Father of the Modern Bourbon Industry. (Part 2)” Second in a two-part biography of Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr.
“Who Has All the Bourbon? Ask the KDA.” How much aging bourbon is there? It’s a matter of public record.
page 8 REVIEW: Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select
VOLUME FIVE
25. Vol 5 No 1, May, 2000
“Old Fitzgerald and the Trouble with Bourbon History.” Revisionist history on the origins of Old Fitzgerald points out the problems of separating real history from marketing fluff.
“Colonels Gather to Celebrate Kentucky Derby.”
“Whiskey Marketing, Circa 1896.”
REVIEW: Jim Beam Bourbon
26. Vol 5 No 2, August, 2000
“More Trouble with Bourbon History. Sally Campbell Replies.” More on the fascinating origins of Old Fitzgerald.
“Fire at Wild Turkey Destroys Warehouse, Kills Fish.”
“Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2000, September 14-17, Bardstown, KY.”
27. Vol 5 No 3, November, 2000
“The Seagram Company’s Long Strange Trip Is Almost Over.” We look back at the history of Seagrams on the occasion of its sale.
“Heaven Hill Dedicates Bernheim Production Facility.”
“Tips for Tasting and Writing About Your Favorite Spirits.”
REVIEW: Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whisky
28. Vol 5 No 4, January, 2001
“Mount Vernon to Reconstruct George Washington’s Distillery.” Archaeological excavation and reconstruction funded in part by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).
“Diageo Acquires Four Roses Distillery in Seagram’s Deal.” Purchased from Vivendi Universal in partnership with Pernod-Ricard.
“You Asked It.” Is it possible to distill bourbon as a hobby?
page 9 “Was Dr. James C. Crow the Real Father of Bourbon Whiskey?”
REVIEW: W. L. Weller Special Reserve Bourbon Whiskey
29. Vol 5 No 5, March, 2001
“Bonded Bourbon Still A Unique Whiskey Experience.” We explain bottled- in-bond.
“180-Year-Old Documents Reveal Early Distilling Practices.”
“Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2001 is September 12-18 in Bardstown.”
“You Asked It.” Can you give me any information about a bottle I found? It says “Frankfort Distillery, Antique Spiritus Frumenti, John B. Thompson.”
“Industry News: Diageo Reinvents Bars, Jim Beam Mixes with Absolut.”
REVIEW: Early Times Kentucky Whisky, Old Fitzgerald Bourbon.
30. Vol 5 No 6, May, 2001
“Is This The ‘Golden Age’ of American Whiskey?”
“Who Is Fritz Maytag And What Is He Talking About?” Anchor Distillery’s Old Potrero.
“Poll Asks, What Would You Drink ‘In A Pinch?”
REVIEW: Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
VOLUME SIX
31. Vol 6 No 1, July, 2001
“Yes, Virginia, They Do Make Bourbon in Virginia.” by Linn G. Spencer. All about A. Smith Bowman and their Virginia Gentleman Bourbon.
“Louisville Event Explores 100 Years of Bonded Whiskey.” Reporting for this story was provided by John Lipman, Linda Lipman and Mike Veach.
BOOK REVIEW: Hospitality – Kentucky Style, by Colonel Michael Edward Masters.
REVIEW: Wild Turkey Russell’s Reserve Bourbon Whiskey.
“Chris Morris New Brown-Forman Master Distiller In Training.”
page 10 32. Vol 6 No 2, October, 2001
“PREVIEW: Evan Williams Single Barrel – 1992 Vintage.”
“Beverage Alcohol Taxation Policies: Are They Fair and Reasonable?”
“New Bourbon Bread Mix Offers an Authentic Taste of Kentucky.”
“As Ad Sales Slump, TV Outlets More Receptive to Sprits Spots.”
“Bourbon Festival Goes On Despite Attacks, Pullouts.” Festival is affected by September 11 th terrorist attacks.
33. Vol 6 No 3, January, 2002
“Fallout from Seagram’s Sale Continues to Affect Bourbon Biz.”
“Louisville’s Vendome Practices Ancient Art of Still-Making.” Reporting providing by Linn Spencer.
“Two Distilleries Offer In-Depth Look at Bourbon-Making Process.”
“FOLLOW-UP: Booze Ads Coming to Network TV.”
REVIEW: Elijah Craig Single Barrel, 18-year-old.
REVIEW: Baker’s Bourbon.
34. Vol 6 No 4, March, 2002
“’What’s It Worth?’ Searching for a Secondary Market in U.S. Whiskey.”
“Jack Daniel’s Teams Up With Miller for New RTD Entry.”
“Guard Changes at Bardstown’s Oscar Getz Whiskey Museum.” Flaget Nally retires, Mary Ellyn Hamilton new curator.
“WhiskeyFest Chicago is Coming Soon: April 17, 2002.”
REVIEW: Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey.
35. Vol 6 No 5, May, 2002
“TRANSITION: The Passing of Master Distiller Ernest W. Ripy, Jr.” Former Wild Turkey executive, son of Thomas Ripy.
page 11 “Paul Civils, One of the Last ‘Government Men’ in Kentucky.” About the federal government’s “storekeepers and gaugers,” who made sure taxes on whiskey were collected.
“FOLLOW-UPS: to Past Stories.” Jack Daniel’s Original Hard Cola. New “malternatives” regulations announced. NBC reverses position on spirits advertising.
“Mint Julep Is a Refreshing Summer Treat.”
“HISTORY: Fire Is Always a Danger in the Whiskey Business.”
“Filson Society To Taste Old Bourbon, Raise Money, June 7.”
REVIEW: Ezra B 15-year-old Single Barrel Bourbon.
36. Vol 6 No 6, September, 2002
“Shawhan Family Bourbon Dynasty Is Little Remembered Today.”
“Potty Talk at Jim Beam Captures National Attention.” Distillery’s bathroom break policy makes national news.
“Holiday Releases from Buffalo Trace and Heaven Hill.” George T. Stagg, Eagle Rare 17-year-old, Sazerac 18-year-old rye, W. L. Weller 19-year-old, Evan Williams Master Distiller’s Select.
REVIEW: Willie Nelson’s Old Whiskey River Bourbon.
REVIEW: Old Charter Bourbon, The Classic 90.
VOLUME SEVEN
37. Vol 7 No 1, February, 2003
REVIEW: Corner Creek Reserve Bourbon Whiskey.
REVIEW: Very Very Old Fitzgerald; the Best Bourbon Ever?
REVIEW: Very Old Barton Bottled-in Bond Bourbon Whiskey.
“LETTERS: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Provenance Is Revealed.” Old Charter, Classic 90, George T. Stagg, Eagle Rare 17-year-old, Sazerac 18-year-old rye, W. L. Weller 19-year-old. Buffalo Trace President Mark Brown tells all.
REVIEW: Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
page 12 38. Vol 7 No 2, April, 2003
REVIEW: George T. Stagg Raises the Bar for Enthusiast Bourbon.
“Discovering the Pleasures of Refill Whiskey.”
LETTER: Achieving the Taste Target for Four Roses Bourbon.
REVIEW: George Dickel No. 12 Brand Original Tennessee Whiskey.
39. Vol 7 No 3, July, 2003
“Jacob Myers, an Early Whiskey Distiller and So Much More.”
“The Search for Old Monongahela Rye” by Linda and John Lipman. Old Overholt, Large Distillery.
REVIEW: Eagle Rare 10-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey.
40. Vol 7 No 4, October, 2003
“New Vintage of Evan Williams Single Barrel Hopes to Win Roses.” Preview event for 1994 vintage.
“August Fire Destroys 800,000 Gallons of Jim Beam Whiskey.”
“The Mint Julep, So Tasty And Yet So Misunderstood.”
“Brown-Forman Buys Jack Daniel’s UK Distribution Rights Back from Diageo.”
REVIEW: Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon, 1994 Vintage.
41. Vol 7 No 5, December, 2003
“Juggernaut: Maker’s to Mark 50 th Birthday in February, 2004.”
“New Barton Bourbon Catches Flack from Brown-Forman.” Ridgewood Reserve 1792 versus Woodford Reserve.
“Name Game: Labrot & Graham Is Now Woodford Reserve Distillery.”
“Sazerac Company Buys Maker of Virginia Gentleman Bourbon.” A. Smith Bowman sold.
“Finally! More Stagg, and Other Antiques from Buffalo Trace.”
REVIEW: Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
page 13 42. Vol 7 No 6, February, 2004
“Forty Creek Canadian. American Whiskey from North of the Border.” Distiller John K. Hall and his Barrel Select and Three Grain Canadian Whisky.
“Catch the Wave. The Era of Craft-Distilling May Be Here at Last.” Maytag, Anchor Distilling, Old Potrero. American Distilling Institute, Bill Owens. St. George Spirits. Clear Creek Distillery, McCarthy’s Oregon Single Malt.
“Jo Ann Beam, Family Champion, Dies at Age 70.”
“The Restoration of Washington’s Distillery: A Progress Report.” Mount Vernon archaeological excavation and reconstruction funded in part by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).
VOLUME EIGHT
43. Vol 8 No 1, April, 2004
“Ridgewood Reserve Is Out, Ridgemont Reserve Is In.” Name dispute between Barton Brands and Brown-Forman (Woodford Reserve) is decided.
“Whiskey Fans Mourn Frederick Booker Noe II, 1930-2004.”
“Henderson Retires As Brown-Forman Master Distiller.” Lincoln Henderson is succeeded by Chris Morris.
“The Official State Whiskey of Alabama Is Made in Kentucky.” Kenny May’s Conecuh Ridge named Official State Spirit by Alabama legislature.
REVIEW: Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey.
44. Vol 8 No 2, August, 2004
“Eight American Whiskey Distilleries View for Tourists’ Favor.”
“Doc Kraus, Executive at Barton and Jim Beam, Dies at 92.”
“Our Aging Whiskey Stock Is Over-Taxed, Says Jim Beam.”
“Record Auction Price Paid for Jim Beam Decanter.” Artist Jeff Koons Jim Beam J. B. Turner Train sells for $5,495,500 at auction.
“Independent Bottlers Face Drought of Extra-Aged Whiskey.”
REVIEW: Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
page 14 45. Vol 8 No 3, October, 2004
“What Is Really in That Bottle of Woodford Reserve Anyway.” We visit Woodford Reserve and meet with Chris Morris and Dave Scheurich.
“Web Zine Busts Jack Daniel’s for Black Label Proof Cut.” Jack cuts proof from 86 to 80, displeasing Modern Drunkard editor Frank Kelly Rich.
46. Vol 8 No 4, December, 2004
“Are Changing Tastes Changing the Taste of American Whiskey?” Drinkers drive trend to extra-aging.
“Owner of Conecuh Ridge Arrested for Illegal Sales.” Kenny May in trouble with Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control.
“Corrections to The Reader Story About Woodford Reserve.”
“Super-Sensitive Palates Do Exist, Scientists Identify ‘Supertasters.’”
REVIEW: Four Roses Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
47. Vol 8 No 5, March, 2005
“What Do You Have To Do To Get A Good Wheated Bourbon?” We taste and think about wheaters from Stitzel-Weller, Maker’s Mark, Buffalo Trace and Heaven Hill, including Van Winkle, Old Fitzgerald and W. L. Weller.
“Jim Beam, Now At 10,000,000 Barrels And Counting.”
“WhiskeyFest To Be Held April 13 At Hyatt Regency.”
“Twisted Spoke Hosts ‘Legends of Bourbon’ April 12.”
“Buffalo Trace Announces Special ‘Spring Stagg.’”
48. Vol 8 No 6, May, 2005
“Jim Beam To Own Maker’s Mark When Allied Sale Is Completed.” Pernod- Ricard and Fortune Brands buy and divide Allied Domecq.
“Sam Kennett Cecil Dies; Hall-of-Fame Distiller, Historian.”
“Dave Pickerell Talks About Stills and Making Wheated Bourbon.”
“Maker’s Completes Triple Crown Series.” Special bottle to honor 1978 winner Affirmed, to raise money for Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park.
page 15 REVIEW: Ridgemont Reserve 1792, From the Barton Distillery.
VOLUME NINE
49. Vol 9 No 1, August, 2005
“Another One Bites the Dust: Allied-Domecq Is Sold for Parts.” Acquisition by Pernod-Ricard and Fortune Brands is completed.
REVIEW: Bernheim Original Straight Wheat Whiskey.
“Gary Gayheart, Master Distiller at Buffalo Trace, Retires After 36 Years.”
“Major Whiskey Brands Are Racing to Enter Marketing Mainstream.” Jim Beam, Jack Daniel’s and Crown Royal sponsor auto racing.
50. Vol 9 No 2, December, 2005
“Fact or Fiction. Is There Any Difference in Bourbon Country?” We debunk ad claims.
“Who’s On First? Evan Williams and Elijah Craig?”
“There’s No Recipe Like an Old Recipe: Jim Beam and Bulleit.”
“A Founding Fathers ‘Firsts’ Fight: Weller Takes Aim at Maker’s.”
“The Fitzgerald Identity: How Old Fitz Got Its Name.”
“Oldest Registered Distillery in the United States: Jack Daniel’s.”
51. Vol 9 No 3, March, 2006
“The Real Bourbon County, Kentucky; Yesterday and Today.”
“Acquisitions Lead to Corporate Name Change at Jim Beam.”
“Questions:” rules for bourbon name, use of malted barley in bourbon.
REVIEW: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, Circa 1970.
52. Vol 9 No 4, June, 2006
REVIEW: Rittenhouse Very Rare 21-Year-Old Single Barrel Rye.
page 16 BOOK REVIEW: Alexander Hamilton Was a Wanker. Review of The Whiskey Rebellion: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and the Frontier Rebels Who Challenged America’s Newfound Sovereignty by William Hogeland.
“Mississippi River Town to Get New Bourbon Distillery.”
“April Storm Damages Warehouse C at Buffalo Trace.”
53. Vol 9 No 5, August, 2006
“Mystery, the 253-Year Story of A. H. Hirsch ‘Pot Still’ Bourbon.” The history of Michter’s.
54. Vol 9 No 6, October, 2006
“Part II: A. H. Hirsch, the Man, the Mystery and the Whiskey.” More Michter’s.
“Heaven Hill Launches Rittenhouse 21-Year-Old … for $150 a Bottle.”
VOLUME TEN
55. Vol 10 No 1, January, 2007
“The New American Craft Distilling Movement. Is There A Point?” We dissect the sometimes questionable practices of American craft distillers, especially with regard to whiskey-making.
56. Vol 10 No 2, March, 2007
“What Is Whiskey? Just Another Name For Rum, Say Indians.” India wants the European Union to allow its sugar cane distillate to be sold as whiskey in Europe. Meanwhile, some people still won’t acknowledge that America makes whiskey too.
“Were There Beams In Ohio? Oh Yes! The Untold Story. (Part I.)”
“Pernod Ricard Sells Indiana Distillery to Angostura Parent.”
“Historic Expansions Come To Bourbon Country.”
57. Vol 10 No 3, May, 2007
“BT Installs New Micro Distillery, Promises More Experiments.” Buffalo Trace says new micro distillery will be online later this year.
page 17 “The Beams Of Ohio During The War Of 1812 (Part II).”
“Indian Beverage Group UB Buys Scottish Whiskey Producer W&M.” UB’s United Spirits, with acquisition of Whyte & Mackay, becomes world’s #2 spirits company.
REVIEW: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey.
58. Vol 10 No 4, July, 2007
“Big Dog: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, By-The-Numbers.” A comprehensive tour of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery and Bluegrass Cooperage, with all the stats that are fit to print.
REVIEW: Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Sonoma-Cutrer Finish. Woodford Reserve debuts a new limited edition, all pot still, Chardonnay- finished bourbon.
59. Vol 10 No 5, September, 2007
“Non-Distiller Producers; Make The Brands, But Buy The Whiskey.” A list of the main non-distiller producers of American whiskey, along with their products.
“New York State Legalizes Auctions Of Rare Whiskey.” And auction house Christie’s announces December liquor auction.
“New Limited Edition Bottlings From Heaven Hill And Four Roses.” Heaven Hill announces the first release in its new Parker’s Heritage Collection, named for Co-Master Distiller Parker Beam. Four Roses introduces Four Roses Barrel Strength in honor of Master Distiller Jim Rutledge.
REVIEW: Mellow Corn Bottled-In-Bond Straight Corn Whiskey.
60. Vol 10 No 6, November, 2007
“Blame Canada (Dry): The Twisting Tale of Kentucky River Distillery.” Once located on the site of the Union’s Camp Nelson, Kentucky River played a role in the last days of Stitzel-Weller. Today, Wild Turkey bourbon ages in the six warehouses that remain.
“At Jim Beam, Jerry Dalton Retires, Fred Noe Gets Labeled.” Fred Noe’s portrait is added to the Jim Beam label, as he is named 7 th generation family distiller and bourbon ambassador.
“Tennessee Seizes Jack Daniel’s Collection Worth $1,000,000.”
REVIEW: Wild Turkey Russell’s Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey.
page 18 VOLUME ELEVEN
61. Vol 11 No 1, February, 2008
“The George Dickel Story; or How to Run Out of Whiskey, Part One.” We look for the historical roots of the 2007 retail shortage of Dickel No. 8.
“Ralph Dupps, Builder of George Dickel Distillery, Dies at 90.”
“American Whiskey Exports Top $1 Billion for First Time.” The Distilled Spirits Council reports record 2007 U.S. spirits sales too.
“Lynchburg Store Owner Indicted in Jack Daniel’s Case.”
“Angostura to Invest $25 Million in KY Distillery, Cooperage.”
“Are Micro-Distilleries Abusing the Title of Master Distiller.”
62. Vol 11 No 2, April, 2008
“The George Dickel Story; or How to Run Out of Whiskey, Part Two.” The biography of Victor Shwab and the history of the Dickel brand up to almost, but not quite, the present; including the 90s overproduction period and 1999 distillery shutdown.
63. Vol 11 No 3, June, 2008
“The George Dickel Story; or How to Run Out of Whiskey, Part Three.” The Dickel story from 1999 through today.
“Case of Rare, Seized Jack Daniel’s Bottles May be Settled Soon.” The defendant, Randy Piper, plumber, may take a plea and forfeit some of his $1 million collection. A trial date hearing is scheduled for August.
REVIEW: Stranahan’s Colorado Rocky Mountain Straight Whiskey.
REVIEW: City Grocery Bourbon Jelly.
64. Vol 11 No 4, November, 2008
“The Next, Great Whiskey Glut Could Be Sooner Than You Think.” We are entirely devoted to examining the future outlook for American whiskey.
65. Vol 11 No 5, January, 2009
“Jack Daniel’s Case Settles, But Its Meaning To Collectors Is Unclear.” In December, the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission settled with Jack Daniel’s collector Randy Piper. Most of his million-dollar collection will be returned.
page 19 “As ‘Value’ Spirits Go To Sazerac, Barton Brands Is History.” We look at the sale of brands and production facilities to Sazerac and remember Barton Brands, which was founded in 1933 and died this month.
REVIEW: (r ī)¹—Pronounced ‘Rye One’—Straight Rye Whiskey.
66. Vol 11 No 6, April, 2009
“CMDK To Revive W. Kentucky’s Rich Distilling Heritage, Part One.” In this first of two parts, we look at the Medley family’s whiskey-making history in Owensboro, Kentucky, up to the acquisition of one of that family’s distilleries by Angostura.
“A Tale of Two Distilleries, And What It All Means.” International drinks executives predict that a distillery built in Louisville in 1992 would be, “the last American whiskey distillery ever built.” Were they right?
“Garrison Brothers Distillery Makes First Texas Bourbon Whiskey.” Dan Garrison is making bourbon in Hye, Texas, but you can’t have any, yet.
VOLUME TWELVE
67. Vol 12 No 1, June, 2009
“With Angostura, Straight Bourbon Meets Army Strong, Part Two.” We conclude our examination of the effort by Angostura Limited to revive bourbon-making in Owensboro, Kentucky, and meet the man in charge, Lieutenant Colonel Derek Schneider.
“Bardstown Legalizes Sunday Sales, Nelson County Likely Next.” You may now buy bourbon whiskey on Sunday in the Bourbon Capital of the World®.
“Why Higher Alcohol Taxes Are A Bad Way To Solve Econ Woes.”
68. Vol 12 No 2, September, 2009
“25 Stops That Should Be On The Kentucky Bourbon Trail.”
“Former Jack Daniels’ Master Distiller Jimmy Bedford Dies.”
REVIEW: A Sampling of 2009’s Final Limited Edition Releases.
69. Vol 12 No 3, October, 2009
“The Case for Reviving the Fine Art of Whiskey Blending in America.” The U.S. is the only whiskey-making culture that primarily makes and sells straight whiskey. Considering that the rest of the world buys mostly blends, are American producers missing an opportunity?
page 20 “CORRECTION: The Original Location of Jim Beam’s Distillery.”
BOOK REVIEW: Bourbon in Kentucky, A History of Distilleries in Kentucky, by Chester Zoeller.
70. Vol 12 No 4, December, 2009
“Decoding The Bottom Shelf; The Quest For Good, Cheap Bourbon.” Shopping tips for find good whiskey on a budget.
“New Day For An Old Bird; Wild Turkey Looks Forward.” We interpret one of the public record documents filed when Gruppo Campari bought Wild Turkey back in April.
“Perception Trumps Reality In Talk Of Rye Renaissance.” Are rye whiskey sales actually booming? Not so much.
Review: 2009 Antiques Weller Bourbon and Handy Rye.
71. Vol 12 No 5, February, 2010
“Peoria, Illinois; Onetime Whiskey Capital of the Prairie Remembered.” In the 19 th century, Peoria made a lot of whiskey, more than Kentucky even.
“KDA Releases First Bourbon Economic Impact Report” The report was prepared by University of Louisville economist Paul Coomes.
REVIEW: Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Seasoned Oak.
72. Vol 12 No 6, May, 2010
“Maker’s Mark 46, First New Maker’s in 50 Years, Debuts Soon.” We report the complete, inside story of its development.
“The Unlikely Story of How Light Whiskey Saved Bourbon.” International conglomerates try to turn bourbon into scotch, little Kentucky distillers fight back and win. Oh, those nutty 1960s.
BOOK REVIEW: Splash of Bourbon, by David Dominé. We like this new cookbook.
VOLUME THIRTEEN
73. Vol 13 No 1, July, 2010
“George Washington’s Distillery Is Back In Business … Sort Of.” July 1, 2010, marked the first public sale of whiskey made at George Washington’s
page 21 Mount Vernon distillery since it burned down in 1814. But Washington’s distillery is not operating as promised.
“A History Of The Cincinnati Whiskey Industry – Part One.” In 2011, a last vestige of Cincinnati’s once thriving whiskey industry will close its doors for good. In Part One of this history we look at Cincinnati’s late 19 th century heyday.
“A Modest Proposal: A Break For All-Whiskey Blends.” By legal definition in the USA, a blended whiskey may be either a mixture of several different types of whiskey, or a mixture of straight whiskey with vodka. We think they each need their own name.
74. Vol 13 No 2, September, 2010
“A History Of The Cincinnati Whiskey Industry – Part Two.” Cincinnati, Ohio, was once the center of a thriving distilled spirits industry and launched .one of the post-Prohibition era’s most successful distilled spirits companies. This is part two of two.
“New Bourbon Releases, Rumored and Confirmed.” Fall is the season for special, limited edition releases. We taste a few and talk about the rest.
“The Slight Distilling History of Tell City, Indiana.” This small Ohio River town best known for its furniture manufacturing once made a lot of whiskey too.
75. Vol 13 No 3, December, 2010
“Anniversay: The Modern Whiskey Began 150 Years Ago.” The modern era of American distilling began in 1860 as a by-product of the American Civil War, which began in that year. That's the premise, anyway. Not coincidentally, 1860 also was the year in which the Early Times brand was established by Jack Beam, Jim Beam's uncle. Today it is owned by Brown- Forman, which is itself 140 years old (born in 1870).
“REVIEW: Angel’s Enby Bourbon and WhistlePig Straight Rye.” We review two new products by two new companies, each the brainchild of a veteran distiller. The Louisville Distilling Company's Angel's Envy Bourbon was created by former Brown-Forman master distiller Lincoln Henderson, while WhistlePig Farm's WhistlePig Straight Rye is fronted by Dave Pickerell, former master distiller at Maker's Mark.
76. Vol 13 No 4, February, 2011
“Yeast, Beams, And The Forgotten Heritage of ‘Practical Distillers.’” The history of Beam family distillers and the Beam family yeast at the Jim Beam and Heaven Hill Distilleries.
page 22 “Wyoming Whiskey: ‘It’s In Mother Nature’s Hands.’” Steve Nally, formerly master Distiller at Maker’s Mark, has been making and barreling bourbon in Kirby, Wyoming for about 18 months. When he’ll have some to sell is anyone’s guess.
“REVIEW: Line Extensions Of Top Brands Prove Bourbon’s Vigor.” We taste Old Crow Reserve, Maker’s Mark 46, Early Times 354, and Knob Creek Single Barrel and assess their significance.
77. Vol 13 No 5, April, 2011
“Inside a Canadian Distillery; Get to Know America’s Other Whiskey.” The Reader visits the Canadian Mist Distillery in Collingwood, Ontario.
“Michter’s ‘Barrel-a-Day’ Stills Moved to New Home in Ohio.” Installed at Michter’s in 1976, the Vendome-built barrel-a-day distillery was in Kentucky from 1996-2011. They’re now in Northeastern Ohio in the hands of a micro- distiller.
REVIEW: Two New Ryes, Bulleit 95 Rye and Redemption Rye. Two more whiskeys made at Lawrenceburg Distillers Indiana (LDI) come to market.
78. Vol 13 No 6, June, 2011
“Antique Bourbon, ‘Distilled in the Slow Old Fashioned Way.” In which is told the history of Antique Bourbon, established in the 19 th century, died in the 21 st .
“’Corn Squeezins.’ A Recollection By Jerry O. Dalton.” The retired Beam and Barton Master Distiller shares some reminiscences about Booker, Baker, and corn.
REVIEW: Four Roses 2011 Limited Edition Single Barrel.
VOLUME FOURTEEN
79. Vol 14 No 1, August, 2011
“Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Is Critical & Popular Hit.” The story of this remarkable series, now in its 16 th year, with emphasis on the transition from DSP-31 (Bardstown) to DSP-1 (Bernheim in Louisville).
“The Old Overholt Story; Straight Rye’s Grand Old Man.” The story of Abraham Overholt, who started distilling commercially in 1810; his grandson Henry Clay Frick; and the venerable straight rye brand to this day.
page 23 REVIEW: Three Recent Micro-Distillery Whiskeys: Smooth Ambler Yearling Bourbon, New Holland Double Down Malt ‘Brewers’ Whiskey,’ and Great Lakes Distillery’s Kinnickinnic Blended Whiskey.
80. Vol 14 No 2, December, 2011
“’Small Barrels Produce Lousy Whiskey,’ Says Buffalo Trace.” We taste 5- year-old bourbon aged in 5 gallon, 10 gallon, and 15 gallon barrels. It is lousy.
“Joe Dangler: A Real Virginia Gentleman Retires.”
“Long Gap Between Reader Issues Explained.” The editor broke his wrist.
“How The Great Whiskey Glut Launched Bourbon’s Renaissance.”
REVIEW: Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Virginia Whiskey. Parker’s Heritage Collection Cognac Finished Bourbon.
81. Vol 14 No 3, February, 2012
“Tips For Building And Enjoying A Healthy Bourbon Collection.” How to tell if you’re collecting and not hoarding, how to start a collection, what to collect now.
“Wild Turkey Bottling Will Return To Kentucky In 2013.” More good economic news for Kentucky as another distilled spirits company consolidates its bottling where its whiskey is made.
“REVIEW: Knob Creek Celebrates 20 th Anniversary With New Rye.”
82. Vol 14 No 4, June, 2012
“The Bourbon Boom. Good For Producers, Maybe Not For Us.” Sales are up, prestige too, but so are prices, and competition for the best bottles is fierce. Who are the bourbon boom’s winners and losers?
“Tip on Selecting Glassware For Whiskey.” Are you selecting a glass for tasting or drinking? We explore this and other issues.
“We Launch ‘The GBS Project’ To Explore Historic Whiskey Style.” In cooperation with the Georgia Bourbon Society (GBS) we launch a quest to recreate an outstanding bourbon distilled more than 40 years ago.
83. Vol 14 No 5, September, 2012
“Pogues Do Good, Like An Old Bourbon Family Should.” The story of Old Pogue and the family behind it, now distillers again (after 80 years) and members of the Kentucky Distillers Association.
page 24 “In Kentucky, Drinking Comes With Degrees Of Difficulty.” Kentucky makes most of America’s whiskey, but buying a drink of it there can be complicated due to ‘local option.’
“Kentucky Bourbon Hall Of Fame Inducts I. W. Bernheim.” The creator and partial namesake of I. W. Harper Bourbon (1848-1945) is honored.
84. Vol 14 No 6, November, 2012
“Old Crimes And New Releases To Hunt For And Enjoy, Fall 2012.” Reviews of Larceny, Parker’s Heritage, Four Roses Small Batch, Col. E. H. Taylor Jr. Straight Rye, and Old Forester Birthday Bourbon.
“Jack Daniel’s New Rye and TN Tradition.” by Chris Middleton. As Jack Daniel’s and George Dickel release new products featuring rye-heavy mash bills, Chris Middleton examines the traditions of Tennessee whiskey- making. Middleton is former head of global brand communications for Jack Daniel’s.
“You’ve Tasted Seagram’s Seven Crown, Now Taste Its Parts.” What do the rye and bourbon whiskeys made at the former Seagram’s distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, have in common? They’re all ingredients in Seagram’s Seven Crown Blended Whiskey.
VOLUME FIFTEEN
85. Vol 15 No 1, January, 2013
(Editor’s Note: Due to a mental lapse, this issue is mis-labeled on the cover as Volume 16 Number 1.)
“The GBS Project Is Concluded and Here Is What We Found Out.” Seven current and retired distillers taste a rare Fairfax County Bourbon, bottled in 1976, and tell us what they think of it.
“Jack Daniel’s New Rye and TN Tradition.” by Chris Middleton, part two of two.
86. Vol 15 No 2, March, 2013
“Some Micro-Distilleries That Are and Some That May Never Be.”
“Correction: MGPI Not Changing IN Business Model.” We talk to MGPI Vice President David Dykstra.
“Where Is the Louisville Distilling Company’s Distillery?”
page 25 “Cheapening of Legacy Products Represents a Long Term Trend.”
Correction to this issue: Eagle Rare Single Barrel is still age-stated at 10- years-old. It has not become NAS, as we reported. We regret the error.
87. Vol 15 No 3, June, 2013
“Who Makes All That Non-Distiller Producer (NDP) Whiskey?” There are 13 large whiskey distilleries in the USA, owned by eight companies. If the whiskey you’re buying wasn’t made by the company that sold it to you, it was made by one of these guys.
“In American Whiskey, BF and Beam Are Biggest of the Big” We compare and contrast the makers of Jack Daniel’s and Jim Beam.
88. Vol 15 No 4, October, 2013
“Challenged by Craft Bourbon? Balcones Show Us How It’s Done.” A review of Balcones Fifth Anniversary Single Barrel Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
“The World’s Number One Bourbon Decides to Get Crafty.” A review of Jim Beam Signature Craft 12-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Jim Beam Signature Craft Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Spanish Brandy.
“Parker’ Heritage Collection Year Seven, ‘Promise of Hope.’” A review of the 2013 Parker’s Heritage Collection Bourbon and its role as a fundraiser for the ALS Association.
“The Perils of Limited Editions and Extra-Aged Whiskeys in General.” Limited edition versions of popular brands may give drinkers the wrong idea about bourbon.
89. Vol 15 No 5, December, 2013
“Old World Battles New In Latest Woodford MC Releases.” A review of Woodford Reserve Straight Malt and Classic Malt, the 2013 Master’s Collection releases.
“New Books Look At Bourbon From Different Perspectives.” Reviews of: Kentucky Bourbon Country, The Essential Travel Guide by Susan Reigler, photographs by Pam Spaulding. American Whiskey Bourbon & Rye, A Guide to the Nation’s Favorite Spirit by Clay Risen. Whiskey Women: The Untold Story of How Women Saved Bourbon, Scotch, and Irish Whiskey by Fred Minnick. Beam Straight Up, The Bold Story of the First Family of Bourbon by Fred Noe.
page 26 “Heaven Hill Cracks Very-Old Puzzle (But Takes A Long Time).” Heaven Hill’s new Elijah Craig 21-year-old is the future of very old bourbons.
“Bottle Dating And Other Shopping Tips For American Whiskey Fans.”
90. Vol 15 No 6, February, 2014
“Is KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Affair Cheating On You?” We examine the KDA’s massive power and money grab.
“Michter’s: From Way Back When, to Not Long Ago and Today.” The name is old and its new owners are investing a lot of money to return it to glory.
“A Small Step Toward a Rational Secondary Market for Whiskey.” Selling whiskey without a license is illegal, but nature abhors a vacuum. There’s something new in the secondary whiskey market.
VOLUME SIXTEEN
91. Vol 16 No 1, April, 2014
“Whiskey Barrel Crisis: Is America Running Out of Oak Trees?” During the recent fight about Tennessee whiskey standards, the barrel shortage was frequently mentioned. Is it real? If it is, how bad is it, what’s causing it, and how long will it last?
“The Weird, New World of Bourbon TV Commercials.” TV advertising for distilled spirits is still relatively new and advertisers are still feeling their way. We look at how different producers are approaching whiskey, 30-seconds at a time.
“Join Me for an Exclusive Tour of Kentucky Whiskey Country.” Your humble editor sets aside the editorial ‘we’ for a moment to tell you about a very special tour of Kentucky’s whiskey country.
92. Vol 16 No 2, July, 2014
“Limestone Branch Has Ties to Pottinger, Beam & Dant Families.” Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon is the jumping-off place for a long examination of the history of the Pottingers, Dants, and a few Beams, all crucial to the earliest development of whiskey-making in southern Nelson County and western Marion County, with key appearances by the L & N Railroad and American industrialist Armand Hammer. Limestone's Steve Beam, who helped, said it was complicated and he was right, but this sorts it out pretty well.
page 27 “With America’s New Whiskey Distilleries, Size Matters.” Distilleries are being built right now at a pace not seen in the United States for generations. What can still sizes tell us about where the industry is heading? We look at a few new and proposed distilleries, and some of the established ones, to see what's really going on.
93. Vol 16 No 3, October, 2014
“How the Bourbon Boom Is Transforming the Business.” A recap of recent news and what it all means.
“The Difference Between Scotch and Bourbon Aging.” Since virtually all of the whisky made in Scotland is aged in barrels that originally held bourbon, we look at how the two nations use the same wood to make very different spirits.
“Brown-Forman Invests to Revive Flagship Brand: Old Forester.”
94. Vol 16 No 4, January, 2015
“Did Fungus Fear Prompt Diageo’s Orphan Barrel Bourbons Project.” We connect the dots to determine if an air quality complaint involving a harmless fungus inspired Diageo’s Orphan Barrels product line.
“Glenn Glaser Retires As Brown-Forman Distillery Manager.”
“Roots of ‘White Whiskey’ Go Back More Than 40 Years.”
“Bourbon Blue Book Re-Launches, Tries to Make a Bourbon Market.” Want to know how much a special bottle is worth? This might help.
95. Vol 16 No 5, April, 2015
“Moneyed Micros Surprise Majors by Poaching Their Talent Pool.” We follow some of the money that’s driving the craft spirits phenomenon.
“Personalize Your Whiskey with Home Vatting.” Make whiskey at home without distilling. Everybody is doing it.
“Unicorns Are For Children. Drink the Great Whiskey in Front of You.” Despite the oft-reported ‘bourbon shortage,’ there is plenty of superb whiskey out there and some of it is still a good value.
96. Vol 16 No 6, July, 2015
“With Bourbons New and Old, Luxco Makes a Bid for the Bigs” Luxco upgrades Yellowstone and Rebel Yell, and launches super-premium Blood Oath.
page 28 “KY Taxpayers Help Distilleries Launch and Expand” Four Roses and Woodford Reserve are growing, Rabbit Hole Spirits is new.
VOLUME SEVENTEEN
97. Vol 17 No 1, October, 2015
“Welcome to the Reader’s ‘State of Bourbon 2015’ Report.”
“New Distillers Blur Line Between Micro and Macro.”
“Turkey, Heaven Hill and Four Roses Mark Transitions with Tributes.”
“Brown-Forman and Beam Suntory Revive Bonded Designation.”
98. Vol 17 No 2, December, 2015
“Tales of Whiskey-Making Along Old Knob Creek.” Abraham Lincoln and the distilleries of Athertonville, Kentucky, particularly Cummins-Collins.
“The KY Distiller’s Association Is Not What You Think.”
99. Vol 17 No 3, March, 2016
“Limestone Branch and Ferm Solutions Revive Historic Yeast.” It’s a real-life “Jurassic Park” adventure.
“Two Big Bourbon Distillers Make Major Moves in Rye.” Brown-Forman goes big, Beam-Suntory goes bigger.
“One to Watch. Wisconsin’s Driftless Glen Distillery.”
100. Vol 17 No 4, June, 2016
“Bourbon Archaeology and Jack Jouett; American Hero, Distiller.”
“Castle & Key Distillery Is Fast Becoming a Reality.”
“Two Examples of Kentucky’s Distillery Building Boom.”
101. Vol 17 No 5, October, 2016
“Western Kentucky Once Again Land of Bourbon and Burgoo” Owensboro’s bourbon heritage has been revived.
“The Mississippi River’s Unknown Bourbon Distillery” There is a new bourbon distillery emerging from a cornfield in far-western Kentucky.
page 29 “Finding Craft Whiskey in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin” Visiting five interesting young distilleries on a two-day trip out of Chicago.
102. Vol 17 No 6, February, 2017
“Two New Bourbons from Wild Turkey that Are Not Wild Turkey” Wild Turkey owner Campari America has revived two pre-Prohibition bourbon labels, Old Ripy and Bond & Lillard, packed with history.
“Acquisitions and Investments Make News in Craft Space” America’s craft distilling industry is still in its infancy, but all of a sudden Big Booze wants a piece.
“Do You Fear You May Be Drinking from the Wrong Glass?” An examination of bourbon’s one essential accessory.
VOLUME EIGHTEEN
103. Vol 18 No 1, April, 2017
“American Whiskey Past, Present, and Future; a Personal Perspective”
“Production Capacity Varies Widely Across Industry” To compare the capacity of bourbon distilleries, one specification is paramount: the diameter of the beer still.
104. Vol 18 No 2, June, 2017
“Ferdie Falk and Robert Baranaskas Belong in the Hall of Fame” All hail the saviors of Buffalo Trace.
“Sazerac Applies for Patent on Old Fashioned Sour Mash” A tribute to E. H. Taylor Jr. and a use for his newly-discovered 1873 fermenters.
105. Vol 18 No 3, October, 2017
“Getting Creative, from Field to Glass, at Whiskey Acres Distillery.”
“The History of Rebel Yell Bourbon and What It Means Today.”
“Distill Ventures Wants to be Your Friend in the Liquor Business.”
“Do You Need a Distillery Built? Better Call Buzick Construction.”
page 30 106. Vol 18 No 4, December, 2017
“In 18th Century America, Making Whiskey Was Hard Work.” Lessons learned from 10 years of making whiskey at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Distillery.
“The Transporting of Whiskey, from Trail to Water to Rail.”
107. Vol 18 No 5, March, 2018
“Whiskey Fungus: Does Bourbon’s Shadow Threaten Its Boom?” Part one of two, a deep dive into Baudoinia compniacensis.
108. Vol 18 No 6, May, 2018
“Valid or Not, Concerns About the Whiskey Fungus Threaten Growth.” Part two of two, concluding our deep dive into Baudoinia compniacensis.
“Kentucky Has a New King; Here Is the Rest of the Story.” Brown-Forman is relaunching one of its ancient brands. They tell some of the story, we tell the rest.
VOLUME NINETEEN
109. Vol 19 No 1, September, 2018
“Where Was Frankfort Distillery? Whiskey History Is Complicated.” How the American whiskey industry evolved into its present form.
“Angel’s Envy Stakes Out Location in Rural Henry County.” The Bacardi subsidiary takes off in a new direction.
“REVIEW: Two Beautiful Books and One Beautiful Whiskey.”
110. Vol 19 No 2, February, 2019
Maturation issue.
Part 1. Charcoal and the Pre-Maturation Process
Part 2. The Whiskey Barrel; No Mere Container
Part 3. The Whiskey Warehouse (aka Rack House or Barrel House)
Part 4. The Whiskey Maturation Process; It Takes Time
Part 5. Age and Maturity; Not the Same Thing
page 31 111. Vol 19 No 3, April, 2019
“Buddy Thompson, Last Head of Glenmore Distilleries, Has Died”
“Beam Suntory Introduces Two New Innovative Whiskeys”
“Brown-Forman Also Innovates with Coopers’ Craft”
112. Vol 19 No 4, June, 2019
“Firestone & Robertson, Making History and Preserving It Too”
“Michter’s Grows, Welcomes Visitors, Promotes from Within”
113. Vol 19 No 5, October, 2019
“Can Pennsylvania Become the Kentucky of Rye Whiskey?” We consider the new Whiskey Rebellion Trail.
114. Vol 19 No 6, February, 2020
“The Van Winkle Phenomenon and How It Got That Way.”
“You Don’t Have to Chase Unicorns to Drink Good American Whiskey.”
VOLUME TWENTY
115. Vol 20 No 1, June, 2020
“Tennessee Whiskey and How It Got That Way.” The history of Tennessee whiskey is a lot of Jack Daniel’s, but so much more. We cover it all.
116. Vol 20 No 2, August, 2020
“American Whiskey Production in 2020 and How It Got That Way.” It seems like we have been talking about the 'bourbon boom' forever, but the industry has grown only recently in terms of the number of distilleries producing American whiskey and the number of different companies involved. We take an in-depth look.
117. Vol 20 No 3, December, 2020
“Buffalo Trace Antique Collection and How It Got that Way.”
“What Is Truth and Why Should You Care About It.” American whiskey marketers play games with claims.
page 32 118. Vol 20 No 4, May, 2021
“The U.S Craft Distilling Movement and How It Got That Way, Pt. 1.” In which we deep dive into the roots of the dynamic American craft distilling movement.
119. Vol 20 No 5, September, 2021
“The U.S Craft Distilling Movement and How It Got That Way, Pt. 2.” In which we conclude our examination of the movement with an overview of how it looks today.
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